Resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue positive development: Qureshi

Islamabad, Feb 10 (PTI) Pakistan today said thedecision for resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue after two yearsis a "positive development" and the process will haveconstructive effects.

Welcoming the progress in interactions between the twocountries, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said theForeign Secretaries of Pakistan and India met in Thimphu onFebruary 6 to "carry forward this process" and subsequentlybriefed their respective governments.

The decision by both countries to resume theirdialogue is a "positive development", Qureshi said.

After the suspension of talks in 2008, efforts were onthrough diplomatic channels to resume the dialogue process, headded.

"Finally, it has been decided by India and Pakistanthat all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, will bediscussed and the dialogue process will be resumed," he said.

"Now, a formal announcement has been made about theresumption of the dialogue process which remained suspendedafter the tragic Mumbai incident," he told state-run PTVshortly after the two countries unveiled plans to revive theirpeace process.

Qureshi said before a meeting of the Foreign Ministersin India, meetings at the level of secretaries will beconvened to discuss issues like counter-terrorism,humanitarian matters and peace and security.

The meetings will also focus on confidence-buildingmeasures, including those in Kashmir, promotion of friendlyexchanges, Siachen, economic issues, Wullar Barrage-TulbulNavigation Project and Sir Creek, he said.

Appreciating the move to resume dialogue, Qureshisaid: "Dialogue is the only way forward."

The move to revive parleys is a "big breakthrough andthe dialogue process will have constructive effects", he said.

Pakistan wants to be a "sincere neighbour" and wishesto add a new chapter in Indo-Pakistan relations, he added.

In a separate development, Foreign Office spokesmanAbdul Basit told PTV that all outstanding issues, includingKashmir, will be discussed in the upcoming talks with India.

Prior to the Foreign Minister''s visit to India, themeetings of secretaries will finalise the agenda for themeeting of the Foreign Ministers, he said.

"We are hopeful of progress in the talks between thetwo countries," Basit said.

The resumption of the dialogue process between Indiaand Pakistan is a good omen for both countries, he added. PTIRHL